Credible or Incredible?

 

Are you Incredible or credible?

Mary Ann Wray

Are we trying to be “Incredible” in people’s eyes or Biblically “Credible” before God? Do we want the applause of men by giving words that hype up people’s emotions and tickle their ears or do we want to deliver the words of God that make people weep over their sins with godly sorrow? Are we intent to deliver messages that will challenge the people of God that point to Christ and his Lordship or are we looking for people to follow us? Do we challenge the people to test everything you say with personal Bible study that challenges them to grow spiritually?

Or are we content to give them a word that tickles their fancies and makes them feel good leaving unchanged and without any Holy Spirit conviction? Do we deliver the true words of God that causes men to tremble at God‘s word with a godly fear? Do we share the good news of Jesus Christ that, despite our sins we can experience the new birth, and be changed from glory to glory?

Do we give them so-called prophecies that make them want more and more and more and follow after man and dependency upon us or a gift rather than Jesus Christ and the word of God? Do we promise them healing and deliverance but after such bold proclamations, there is no change, evidence of a real encounter with God and lasting fruit?

When a minister loses credibility publicly, they can receive forgiveness, if there is true repentance. However, understanding the consequences of losing credibility, they should be willing to stay out of the public's eye at least after a long season of reflection, chastening by the Holy Spirit, studying scripture and waiting on God. During this process, if they are truly humble and repentant they should be willing to minister in a different platform than before.David suffered consequences of his sins as did Eli, King Saul, Judas, Alexander the Blacksmith, Ananias and Saphira, and many others we don't even know about.

A humble heart would be willing to serve tables after a spiritual fall. David said, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God to than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.” He had a humble heart, even though he missed God more than one time. A decision to humble one’s self and wait on the Lord should come as a result of being accountable to others and much prayer on the minister’s part.

There must be accountability not only if credibility is lost, but before anything like that happens. I wonder what had happened to accountability in the Body of Christ for false teaching, extortion of money as well as sexual sins? It's a shame that God has to use the secular judicial system to chasten some of his servants. This should not be so.

A humble and repentant heart would accept consequences of missing the mark, giving false words and teaching false doctrine the same way, David had to accept consequences for his sins. Read what the Apostle Paul said the church should do for an unrepentant congregant in 1 Corinthians 5. The thought of this happening today doesn't even exist in most church circles.

Forgiveness does not erase sin’s consequences especially for those in high profile positions. You are dealing with peoples lives and futures. It’s not something to play around with. God is jealous over his people. If you miss handle the word of God that miss handling his sheep, he takes it very seriously.

No one is immune or above deception and pride. I know from personal experience. God is still purifying me.

1 Peter 4: 17